Want a raincoat that can go from the office to a night out? We tested a variety of dressy raincoats and found some ladies' trenches that will fend off even the worst storms (and a few that won't).

Liz Claiborne A-Line

Liz Claiborne A-Line #6821022 ($99)

This three-quarter-length coat is an affordable choice for dressy occasions or the office. It did well in both water repellency and drying time, and has a button-off hood. While there are no interior reinforced buttons or extra interior pockets, the hidden flap for the front buttons and flattering swing shape with an inverted pleat back gives it a clean and sleek look. In solid black with beige trim and sizes S to XL. Polyester. Dry-clean only. (macys.com)

Pros:
 This coat earned top marks in water-repellency tests.
 The fabric dried in less than five minutes.

Burberry Double Breasted Trench Coat

Burberry Double Breasted Trench Coat ($1,095)

This very pricey, classic coat is well constructed with a full lining and finished seams. The fabric performed excellently in water-repellency tests and dried very quickly, but our simulated rain left behind some water stains (though they most likely would steam out). In trench and black, and sizes 2 to 14. Cotton/polyester. Dry-clean only. (burberry.com)

Pros:
 The high-quality fabric received top scores in water-repellency tests.
 Dried very quickly — in less than five minutes.
 Features such as a notched collar (which can be turned up) and reinforcing interior buttons that anchor the exterior ones indicate superior quality.

Cons:
 Consumers gave this coat average ratings for fit, with several complaints about the tight fit around the shoulders.
 Some water staining appeared after our water-resistance tests.

Weatherproof Trench

Weatherproof Trench ($129)

This offering from Weatherproof has all the marks of a classic trench: a belted double-breasted front, large collar flaps, and water-shedding yokes in front and back. Consumers loved the fit, though some thought it ran a bit short. In limeade, black, and stone, and sizes S to XL. Cotton/polyester. Machine-washable. (zappos.com)

Pros:
 The fabric aced our water-repellency tests.
 Dried in less than five minutes.
 Received good marks from consumers for fit.

Cons:
 The buttons are sewn without interior reinforcing buttons, so they're more likely to detach with wear. Keep an eye out for loose buttons and resew to secure them.
 The collar flaps could not be clasped closed (meaning rain might seep in around the neck).

Lands' End Sunshower Double Breasted Trench

Lands' End Sunshower Double Breasted Trench ($119.50)

This double-breasted trench sheds water with ease, keeping out moisture and drying in a matter of minutes. Weather-resistant features include fabric flaps at the shoulders (to help shed rain), a notched collar, sleeve-belts that cinch at the wrist, and an inside lining with two interior pockets (for stashing items you want to keep dry). In black, desert khaki, soft fern floral, chili pepper, true navy, floral colors, and sizes XS to XL. Polyester twill. Machine-washable. (landsend.com)

Pros:
 The coat's fabric received top scores in water-resistance tests.
 The drying time was very short (under five minutes).

Cons:
 Consumers rated it average for fit, complaining that it was bulky and oversized.

Via Spiga Scarpa

Via Spiga Scarpa ($230)

Our testers loved this style, an updated version of a classic trench with a double-breasted front and pleated bottom. Though it took awhile to dry, the fabric repelled water well, and the interior is lined for extra protection. Wear this one on days you don't need a blazer or bulky sweater, because of its tailored fit. In black, coral, sand, turquoise, and sizes XS to XL. Cotton/nylon. Machine-washable. (bloomingdales.com)

Pros:
 Consumers gave it high marks for fit.
 Cotton/nylon fabric performed well on water-resistance tests.

Cons:
 Repelled water well, but took longer to dry than some (15 minutes).

Axcess Plaid Trench Coat

Axcess Plaid Trench Coat ($89)

This plaid single-breasted trench has large fashion buttons and upper-chest yoke flaps (for fashion and water-shedding). The nylon fabric took awhile to dry but did a good job repelling water, plus it's lined, which will aid in keeping you dry. In true black multi and sizes S to XL. Cotton/polyester. Dry-clean only. (kohls.com)

Pros:
 Did well in water-repellency tests.
 Scored highly on our construction analysis due to special features such as a back yoke and closable front collar.
 The double-breasted style, back yoke, and closable front collar will help keep you dry.

London Fog Toggle

London Fog Toggle ($100)

The toggle front of this coat is both cute and functional for helping keep rain out. The fabric didn't shed water as well as others, but it did dry quickly — best for wearing in a drizzle rather than a deluge. The full lining of both the interior and the hood works well to keep you comfy and dry. In red and black, and sizes S to XL. Polyester. Dry-clean only. (londonfog.com)

Pros:
 This coat had a number of special features including full lining and extra buttons.
 The polyester fabric dried quickly — in 10 minutes.
 Consumers were satisfied with the fit.

Cons:
 Though it dried quickly, the coat received only average scores in water-repellency tests.

London Fog Trench

London Fog Trench ($100)

Made from water-repellent cotton, this double-breasted trench keeps you dry with yoke flaps, sleeve-belts, and a lined interior. It fared fine on our water-resistance tests, but the material took a very long time to dry — 25 minutes. In twine and black, and sizes S to XL. Water-repellent cotton. Dry-clean only. (londonfog.com)

Pros:
 The fabric performed well on our water-resistance tests.
 Testers rated this coat highly for fit.
 The double-breasted style, yoke flaps, sleeve belts, and full lining will help keep you dry.
 Exterior buttons are well anchored with interior ones, which will help prevent button loss.

Cons:
 The fabric took a very long time to dry in GHRI tests (25 minutes).

Burberry Black and Grey Check Trench

Burberry Black and Grey Check Trench ($1,395)

A "true classic," as one tester put it, this traditional trench was beautifully constructed with yoke flaps, epaulettes on the shoulders, and sleeve closures. The material took an unusually long time to dry, but the interior is lined to keep you from getting soaked. The astronomical price, however, may give you pause. In charcoal and sizes 1 to 4. Nylon. Dry-clean only. (burberry.com)

Pros:
 Beautifully constructed: The right chest gun flap, neck closures, and sleeve belts should all help keep the rain out.
 Extra buttons and interior pockets are nice features.

Cons:
 This coat did only an average job of repelling water and took a very long time to dry (27 minutes).

ABS Satin Trench

ABS Satin Trench ($298)

This coat has interior bottom snaps with a button-out liner that can transform the style from mid-calf to knee-length. Fully lined, the coat also has a belted, double-breasted front, a notched collar (which can be buttoned and turned up) to keep out water, and it comes with a rain hat. Testers liked the fit, but the fabric performed poorly in water-repellency tests and took awhile to dry (25 minutes). In black, sand, eggplant, and black/brown plaid ,and sizes XS to L. Polyester. Dry-clean only. (amazon.com)

Pros:
 Received good marks for fit.
 Interior snaps allow the length to be shortened.
 Full lining, an interior pocket, and a belted double-breasted style indicate quality construction.

Cons:
 The fabric did not perform very well in water-repellency tests.
 The coat also had a slow drying time — 25 minutes.

Laundry by Shelli Segal The Packable

Laundry by Shelli Segal The Packable ($138)

This coat concept is great: a lightweight, nylon zip-front style that can be packed into its own bag for easy travel. But while the construction lived up to this promise, the material didn't — the fabric performed poorly in water-repellency tests. In black, pearl, and French red, and sizes XS to XL. Nylon. Machine-washable. (macys.com)

Pros:
 Very well constructed, with interior pockets, snap buttons, and finished seams.
 Consumers gave the coat above-average ratings for fit.

Pendleton Connect the Dots Coat

Pendleton Connect the Dots Coat 42433 ($168)

Though the inner lining sports a cute polka dot print, the outer fabric did not shed water well and took a very long time to dry — 25 minutes. In aqua wave and black, and sizes S to XL. Cotton/spandex. Dry-clean only. (pendleton-usa.com)

Pros:
 Nicely made, with a full lining and finished seams.

Cons:
 Did not keep water out and received low score in water-repellency tests.
 Took 25 minutes to dry in GHRI tests.

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